Climbing Mount Everest with a commercial expedition
Footsteps on the Mountain Diaries
Publisher: Mountain Footsteps Press
Revised edition first published: 2016
ISBN (paperback): 978-0-9934130-4-9 | ISBN (ebook): 978-0-9934130-3-2 | ISBN (audiobook): 978-1-912748-09-9
Pages: 171
Praise from readers | Goodreads
Buy this book
About this book
In April 2012 Mark Horrell travelled to Tibet hoping to become, if not the first person to climb Mount Everest, at least the first Karl Pilkington lookalike to do so.
He joined a mountaineering expedition which included an Australian sexagenarian, two Brits whose idea of hydration meant a box of red wine, and a New Zealander who enjoyed reminding his teammates of the perils of altitude sickness and the number of ways they might die on summit day.
The media often write about Mount Everest deaths and how easy the world’s highest mountain has become to climb, but how accurately does this reflect reality?
The Chomolungma Diaries is a true story of ordinary people climbing Mount Everest with a commercial expedition, and preparing for the biggest day of their lives.
Imagine your life clipped into a narrow line of cord five miles above the earth, on the world’s most terrifying ridge walk. This book will bring you just a little bit closer to that experience.
Ebook
|
Amazon Amazon United States |
Apple iTunes United States |
|
Other stores You can buy this ebook from a number of online retailers, including Kobo, Barnes & Noble, and Google Play. See the list of all available stores. |
|
Paperback
|
Amazon Amazon United States |
Other stores Barnes & Noble (US) |
|
For retailers If you are a retailer and you would like to order copies of this book for your store then see the ordering information for retailers. |
|
Audiobook
|
Amazon Amazon United States |
Audible Audible United States |
|
iTunes iTunes United States |
Other stores You can buy this audiobook from a number of online retailers, including Spotify, Kobo and Google Play. See the list of all available stores. |
Praise from readers
“I was expecting this to be my favourite book in the series and was not disappointed. They are all good, but this was great.”
“His style of writing takes you along as though you are a member of the same expedition.”
“I enjoyed this book a great deal. It impressed me as a genuine and unembellished record of a once-in-a-lifetime experience by the author.”
“Very easy and readable, these affordable reads are constant page-turners. His accounts are open and honest, and do not have the personal agenda that you often find in other mountaineering books.”
“I was completely hooked from the beginning. He writes so enthusiastically, I felt I was there every step of the way (with my eyes closed and clinging on for dear life of course).”
“This account, of his successful attempt to climb Everest from the North side, has elevated him and his writing to a whole new level … Every gasp of thin air, every ankle-wrenching pain, is included in Horrell’s narrative.”
“A concise and very interesting account which kept me spellbound. Highly recommended.”
“What I enjoyed so much about this book is that the writer is a real person with the same fears and excitement that I think any of us would feel in climbing Everest.”
“I felt like I was there on the mountain with Mark, very tense at times. A must read for any armchair adventurer.”
“It’s certainly the best blow-by-blow of a modern climb of Everest by a real climber you’ll find.”
“I could not put this book down. Most of the climbing books I’ve read have been written by world class climbers. This book comes at it more from the point of view of an average climber-someone who gets scared standing on the edge of a 3,000 meter cliff. I don’t think you will be disappointed if you’re at all interested in the big mountains.”
“I have read many books about climbing expeditions and this is one of the better ones. Insightful, well paced and a pleasure to read.”
“Best Everest account I have read. Just enough detail to inform the amateur.”
“I do hope he decides to fill in more about this climb and turns it into a book; his writing is so entertaining that I know I’d enjoy hearing much more about the trip. Mark’s writing talent is as apparent as his climbing abilities!”
“Funny and heartfelt this book paints the picture of a colourful commercial Everest expedition, from summit bid to lazy tent days. The author’s perspectives and comments are downright entertaining.”
“A very relaxing yet interesting read.”
“Mark is a very engaging writer: honest, humorous, with wonderful descriptions of the environment and captivating tales of the trails. He lets you feel like you are traveling along with him, going on an adventure with a regular guy.”
“Heartfelt and thoroughly enjoyable account of a commercial expedition on Everest. I look forward to reading more of his writings.”
“Totally engrossing, fascinating tale. Once I got to the summit attempt, I couldn’t stop reading.”
“His storytelling puts the reader into the story because it is so descriptive and told with humor and dignity, not to shock or malign other climbers. He is respectful of his fellow climbers, the support staff and the mountain. I highly recommend this book.”
“This guy gets it. He tells us only what he sees and hears, and skips the “man against the mountain” ho-hah. A wonderful read.”
“I loved the stories and the author’s writing voice. Thoroughly enjoyed every page and its a steal on Kindle.”
“Yet another realistic, day to day account of what it is like to summit an 8000er. I appreciate his down to earth style of writing and his clear ability to tell it like it is. Mark paints great word pictures and takes you along as his climbing buddy.”
“An excellent piece of work which I found extremely hard to put down … he writes with a direct raw honesty as though he were personally conveying his thoughts and feelings directly to the reader face to face.”
“I got a real feel for the fear that mountaineers experience. Felt like I was there, being terrified alongside Mark. Gripping read and will read more.”
“A compelling read with no smoke and mirrors, just a whole lot of truth, hard work, and humility. Great book!”
“The physical and mental exhaustion is palpable and the diary is surprisingly dark in the final chapters, lacking the normal jubilation of a successful climb. A good read, nonetheless, and devoid of the normal “get to the top or die trying” machismo of some Everest books.”